Fireworks will take place at Sportsman's Park

Thursday

Jun 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Last week the Sleepy Eye City Council gave the green light for the Sleepy Eye Fire Department to proceed with the Fourth of July fireworks display under the supervision of Leon Steffl and Aaron Schauman, licensed pyrotechnicians.

By Terri MelheimEditorEmail: tmelheim@sleepyeyenews.com

Last week the Sleepy Eye City Council gave the green light for the Sleepy Eye Fire Department to proceed with the Fourth of July fireworks display under the supervision of Leon Steffl and Aaron Schauman, licensed pyrotechnicians.

This display will again take place at Sportsman’s Park. However, due to state regulations, the fireworks must be at least 350 feet away from any highways or spectators.

To do this, the display must be moved further from the road than previous years. As an added precaution, all the docks around Sportsman’s Park will be taped off one hour before the show is slated to begin and no one will be allowed near them. However, according to City Manager Mark Kober, people will be able to watch the display from boats on the water as long as they stay a safe distance a way (see map) and they have landed their boat before the docks are taped off.

While the display will be similar to what has been seen in years past, the process of how they are fired off is changing due to state regulations.

Tom “Spike” Schroepfer, president of the Eagles Club, said those state regulations require the fireworks to be placed in individual canisters with a hard-core base and steel stakes. The canisters are also required to be staked to the ground and include a long fuse, Schroepfer added.

Schroepfer went on to explain that the entire process continues to be safer each year, adding that eventually all fire- works will go to digital displays.

As always, festivities will be held in Allison Park on July 4. A burger and hot dog feed will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 7 p.m. Live music will be provided by the Sleepy Eye Area Concertina Club beginning at noon.